American Water WorksCompany supports temporary suspension of connection moratorium, aiding its water supply projects.

California American Water has submitted written testimony to the State Water Resources Control Board supporting a temporary suspension of the cease-and-desist order that has limited new water connections on the Monterey Peninsula since 2009. The company said successful expansion of Aquifer Storage and Recovery and continued regulatory progress on the desalination project mean the region is on a path toward better water security, allowing flexibility for the community while maintaining key protections for the Carmel River. California American Water president Sarah Leeper urged a cautious and strategic approach until Monterey has a permanent, drought-resilient water supply, warning that lifting the order without appropriate guardrails could increase demand and put decades of Carmel River restoration at risk during future droughts. The California Public Utilities Commission last summer confirmed Monterey could face an annual shortfall of 815 million gallons by 2050, and the company continues to focus on the three-part Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project including Aquifer Storage and Recovery, water recycling, and desalination. The public will have an opportunity to provide comment to the Water Board on November 5, 2026.
American Water WorksCompany supports temporary suspension of connection moratorium, aiding its water supply projects.